If his friends meant to handicap him with gifts, he knew a way to get even.

For two weeks his mornings were spent at Tiffany's, and the afternoons brought joy to the heart of every dealer in antiquities in Fourth and Fifth Avenues.

He gave much thought to the matter in the effort to secure many small articles which elaborately concealed their value.

And he had taste.

The result of his endeavor was that many friends who would not have thought of remembering Monty with even a card were pleasantly surprised on Christmas Eve.
As it turned out, he fared very well in the matter of gifts, and for some days much of his time was spent in reading notes of profuse thanks, which were yet vaguely apologetic.